Baggage-check.



V:Na391,593; PATENTED JUNE 23, 1908.

(LW. CONRAD, & w. J.P1TTALL. BAGGAGE CHECK.

APPYLOATION YLED JUNE 28, 1904;

2 SHEETS-SHEBT 1,

Rvur E JsT. POINTS A No. 891.593.` I PATENTBD JUNB'ZB, 1908.

G. W. CONRAD t W. J; FITTALL. BAGGAGE CHECK.

.APmcATIoN FILED JUNE za, 1904.

i 2 SHEETS-4mm 2.

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. G9 G9 G9 WITN ESSES: INVENTOR:

said ordinar ,UNiTEfn serias reinar GEORGE W. coNaAD, oF-sneiiwoon, Ann wiLLiAn i. rifrrALL, vor rrrrsncae,

, PENNSYLVANIA.

nacemos pecieation of Letters Patent.

Patented June 23, 1,908.

rpplicatonled .Tune 28, 1901.1.. Serial Aiio.'21st/1h59. I

To all whom, it `mofj concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE W. Corman, of Edgewood, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, and WILLIAM J. -FITTALL, of Pittsbur in the county of Allegheny andState of Iennsylvania, have invented a `certain new and useful Improvement in Baggage-Checks, whereof the iollowing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

It is usual to identify baggage by checks which are distinguished from each other merely by numbers, each number consisting of a series of digits imprinted close together, but in different order upon the different checks. It is found in ractice that such checks are objectionable or the numbers on checks being composed of digits printe in close relation, the baggage agents frequently mistake one Whole' number 4 for another havlngsimilar digits diderently arranged. Such errors, which are due to the mental transposition bythe bagga e-a ents, of the digits in the numbers, are o suc i frequent occurrence as to be designated by the technical term crossing checks. and are the cause of much expense to. all railroad companies in the settlement-of claims for loss and detention ofbafrgage. l

It is the object oi our invention to avoid the difficulties aforesaid, by roviding checks with'means to unmistaka ly identify the baggage, first, by reference to its distinctive descriptive properties, and, second, by distinctive numbers whose digits' a're so arranged in spatially distinct groups or sections as to prevent the mental transposition of the digits b the persons Who must compare the num ers.

Our invention comprise'sithe various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more deiiitel specified.

In the accom anying diiawings: Figure I, is'a front view o a check embodying our improvements `and comprising twdnormally integral separable sections. Fig. Il, is a rear View of the upper section of the check shown in Fig. I. Fig. II, is a rear view of the lower section of the check shown in Fig. I. Fig. IY, is a front view of a series of baggage checks, consecutively numbered in accordance with our invention.

In said drawings; the checks 1, comprise normally integra sections 2, and 3, which are separable on the line 4, being conven- -prints 18, and

Yof certain of said symbols iently. indented on said line. Said sections are intended to be se arated bythe baggage agent who issues suc checks; the section 2, being attached'to the ba gage and the section 3, being delivered to t e proprietor of the baggage as a receipt for the same'. As indi cated in the drawing, the section 2, is conveniently known as a "tag check, and .the section 3,'as a "duplicate check. Said sections'2, and 3, are respectively provided with identical members.as indicated at 5, and 6, each comprising a series of digits arranged in .spatially distinct groups of two digits each and conveniently separated by hyphens. The section 2, being intended to, be attached to the baggage is conveniently provided with the aperture 9, to receive an attaching cord. tion 3, bein intended to be delivered vto the partywho cIeposits the baggage, is provided with a series of spatially distinct symbols 14, indicating diferent descriptive pro er* ties et baggage for instance, Trunir,

The check sec- HGrip", as shown in Fig. I. We find it convenient to provide the face of said check with imprints 15, and 16, upon the respective sections 2, ancL, indicating the naine of the party which issues the check also im- 19, upon the respective sections indicating the station from which the check is issued and the station to which the baggage is shipped. NVe also find it convenient to rovide the face of said check with means ocal to the distinctive number pn each section of the check indicating both the identity of the party t ie articular series or the latter. Such corre ation of the identifying means facili-I tates the matching of the check 'sections as issuing the check and the observation of the baggage agent may be restricted to the locality of the distinctive number. It is intended that the clieclg shall be caused to manifesta descrii'ftion of the baggage to which it relates, by selection 14, and such selection may be indicated by punch marks local to said symbols. For instance, it the baggage is a grip or valise, a punch niark 20 may be made local to the corresponding symbol l,grip. vWe find it convenient to provide the back of said lcheck,

with means 21, indicating the date baggage is received, and to provide the check, section 3, with means 22, indicating the date when the baggage is delivered. 'llie blank spaces 23, and 24, respectively on the back of said sections 2, and 3, may be utilized for rules and instructions to aassengers.

We do not desire to limit ourse ves to the precise details of construction or arrangement above described, asit isobvious that various modifications may be made therein, withoutl departing from the essential features of our invention as defined in the appended claims.

We clairnz- 1. A baggage check, comprising normally integral separable sections, said sections having thereon identical numbers, each comprising a series of digits arranged in spatially distinct groups of not more than two digits each, substantially as set forth.

2. A baggage check, comprising normally inte ral separable sections, said sections having t ereon identical numbers, each com rising a series of digits arranged in groups o not more than two digits each, and, one of said sections having thereon distinct symbols indicating different descriptive properties of baggage; whereby the baggage to which the check is applied may be identiiied by said number an( by selection of certain of said symbols, substantially as set forth.

3. A baggage check, comprising normally integral separable sections, said sections having thereon identical numbers, each comprising a series of digits arranged in groups of not more than two digits each, and one of said sections having thereon means indicating the date of reception of the baggage, and another section having thereon means indicating the date of delivery of the baggage, substantially as set forth.

4. A baggage check, having thereon means arranged to inform the passenger of the identity of the party issuing said check, the location of the station from which the check is issued, a number comprising a series of digits arranged in spatially distinct roups 'of not more than two digits each, an a series of symbols indicating diiferent descriptive properties of baggage 3 whereby the baggage l to which the check is applied may be identified by selection of certain of said symbols, substantially as set forth.

5. A baggage check, comprising normally integral sep arable sections, said sections having thereon identical numbers, each comprising a series o f digits arranged in groups of not more than two digits each; each section having thereon means arranged to inform the passenger of the identity of the arty issuing the same, and the location of t e station from which the cheek is issued; and, one of said sections having thereon distinct symbols indicating different descriptive properties of baggage; whereby the baggage to which the chedlr is applied rnay be identified numerically and descriptively, substantially as set forth. f

6. A baggage check having thereon an individually distinctive number, comprising a series of digits arranged in distinct groups of not more than two digits each.

7. A baggage check having thereon an individually distinctive number, comprising a series of digits arranged in distinct groups of not more than two digits each, and, marks devoid of numerical significance, interposed between said A groups, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof, we aliix our signatures in presence'of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. CONRAD. WILLIAM J. l `ll"l`Al ,l l.

Witnesses:

Flinn. O. llnNzl, M. IIUN'IER. 

